I just noticed (late) that the latest release of HAPS ProtoCompiler, 2016.03 is available. The new release can be found under SolvNet here. (A SolvNet ID and a valid HAPS ProtoCompiler license will be needed for download.)

Thanks to my latest project, a home built Van De Graaff generator, it reminded me to post some more information on ensuring you take ESD precautions while handling your physical prototyping hardware. These are essential when handling Xilinx Virtex-7 and UltraScale based platforms, ensuring you don’t let the magic blue smoke escape.

Design defects (bugs) can be introduced at multiple levels in the design process from RTL defects, SW defects and Integration defects. The key to rapidly locating these bugs is to tailor the debug strategy to the type of bugs you are looking for. Depending on where you are in the design cycle usually dictates which type of bug is more prevalent. Physical Prototyping exercises the RTL, SW and the fully integrated design so is a key technology for design verification. Having the right debug tool set if critical to accelerate the verification task.

Breaking the Three Laws is dedicated to discussing technically challenging ASIC prototyping problems and sharing solutions.

About the Author

Michael (Mick) Posner joined Synopsys in 1994 and is currently Director of Product Marketing for Synopsys' DesignWare USB Solutions. Previously, he was the Director of Product Marketing for Physical (FPGA-based) Prototyping and has held various product marketing, technical marketing manager and application consultant positions at Synopsys. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering from the University of Brighton, England.